Experts Say

Why North Korea's next nuclear test could lead to war

The Week
December 4, 2017
By Harry J. Kazianis

don't sleep well these days. My mind is consumed with thoughts of what could happen if my greatest fear comes true: that North Korea makes the tragic mistake of conducting the first atmospheric nuclear weapons test since 1980, spreading radioactive fallout throughout the Pacific Ocean and eventually around the world. But it isn't the test that scares me — it's what happens afterwards that gives me cold sweats.